Allie Jones

At least 89 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the Patika province of Afghanistan this morning. No group has yet taken responsibility for the attack, but Reuters notes that members of the Pakistani Taliban have been retreating to this area of Afghanistan to avoid military attacks in Pakistan.

The bombs exploded in a crowded market, according to the district governor of Patika. Mohammad Raza Kharoti told Reuters, "The explosion was so big it destroyed many shops. Dozens of people are trapped under the roofs." The death toll has been rising all morning, and Afghanistan General Zahir Azimi said it still could go up.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the attack was not ordered by Taliban leadership and welcomed an investigation. The Taliban did take responsibility, however, for another attack on media employees of President Hamid Karzai. That attack used a concealed bomb to kill two of Karzai's employees; five others were wounded.